Alleged armed robber arrested after car chase

WEST CHESTER — A Delaware County man is facing charges in connection with an armed robbery Sunday morning in the 100 block of North Walnut Street in the borough.

Police said Aleem W. Barley, 31, of Collingdale, attempted to flee police officers just minutes after allegedly robbing three women at gunpoint a few blocks away. Police said the victims reported their assailant pointed a handgun at their heads and chambered a round before fleeing with their purses.

Just moments after the robbery was reported, a patrol officer saw a vehicle leaving the area at high speed with no headlights on. The officer pulled the vehicle over in a parking lot at Church and Chestnut streets and made contact with the driver. Police said the driver exited the vehicle but failed to comply with the officer’s commands and reentered his car.

The driver, who police later identified as Barley, put his car in reverse and allegedly struck a marked police car and another parked vehicle before fleeing the lot and leading officers on a brief pursuit.

Police said Barley drove the vehicle to a lot near the YMCA and was blocked in by pursuing police officers. Barley was taken into custody with the use of Tasers after he continued to resist and failed to comply with officers’ commands, according to police.

The three victims of the armed robbery identified Barley as the man who robbed them, police said. A black semi-automatic handgun was recovered on the passenger’s side floor of the vehicle, police said.

West Chester Police Chief Scott Bohn Monday praised the officers involved for their handling of the potentially dangerous situation.

“I think they (the officers) certainly used a great deal of restraint,” Bohn said. “Given the circumstances, and the actions of the suspect, this could have turned out much differently.”

Bohn also repeated his concern over the apparent increase of violent crime in the borough in recent months, and warned residents to be aware of their surroundings and “take common sense precautions” while out at night.

Barley was charged with multiple counts of robbery, aggravated and simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime, theft, and related charges. He was taken to Chester County Prison after failing to post $100,000 bail, police said.